Chapter Thirteen
It was an unlucky fact that the AllSpark happened to be located on an abandoned military base just a few miles north of the city. Unlucky, because when the military says 'abandoned', what they mean is 'temporarily vacated, but still under surveillance'. It was a lucky fact that Lennox knew exactly where the surveillance cameras were, otherwise the Autobots would have had a devil of a time trying to get past the army forces that were usually stationed there. Lennox had left late that night to disable the cameras. Optimus had no way of telling if the cameras really were disabled, but he had no reason to doubt Lennox.
They stood in front of the base now, all of them back in their mech forms, staring at the rather large building. Rae was the first to speak. "I think it was supposed to be a hangar." she said simply. "It was an Air Force base before the Army got it. Which is probably why it's been 'abandoned', so to speak." There was the slightest hint of distaste in her voice, as if she would rather be anywhere but here, but knew she didn't have a choice. Ironhide gave her a small nudge, pushing her into a more secure position on his shoulder. Rae flashed him a smile.
Jazz simply stood there, one hand on his hip as he stared at the building in a quizzical manner. "How on Cybertron did those Decepticons find it in here?" he wondered. "My scans aren't showing anything."
"That's because you don't have the right scanner." Optimus murmured. "I can tell exactly where it is." None of his followers looked too surprised by this. Optimus had a knack for being able to sense things that none of the other mechs could. Rae stole a glance at Bumblebee. The yellow mech had a distracted look on his face, and Rae knew – he also could sense the AllSpark, as all Neutrals could.
As Rae could.
She didn't know why. Even though she no longer thought of herself as human, hadn't used that word to describe herself in eight years, she knew she didn't have the same sensory equipment as the mechs did. So why could she feel the presence of the AllSpark as a slight pressure in the back of her mind, telling her without a doubt exactly where it was? It was almost as if it was calling for her.
Rae jumped from her perch and landed safely on her feet, making Ironhide and Jazz nearly pass out in surprise. "Why must you do things like that?" Jazz demanded, bending a little to make sure she hadn't hurt herself. Rae smirked.
"Just to keep you on your toes." she teased. "Come on. You guys won't find the AllSpark if you just stand here and stare."
Prime gave her a look. "Are you offering to help?":
"Something like that."
But Rae knew what she had to do. She had to find the AllSpark before Prime did. Only Case could be trusted to keep the AllSpark safe and not abuse its powers. Case knew more about the artifact than anyone else, Rae was certain. If she could find the AllSpark, then not only would Case be able to locate her and get her out, but he would have direct access to the AllSpark.
It wasn't the brightest thing to do, defy both Megatron and Prime like this, but it was the only thing she could do. She could not let them get the artifact, and possibly destroy each other. Too many that she cared for would die in the process.
Sunny snickered. "All right, then, let's do it!" he teased, putting on his best Aussie accent.
Sides rolled his optics. "I'm destroying your Arnold movies. Seriously, what is wrong with you?"
"You don't like the Terminator movies?" Sunny demanded, sounding surprised. "I could ask you the same thing."
"I like Bond. You know that." Sides retorted.
"Will you two glitch-heads mute it and focus?" Prowl demanded, slapping them both in the back of the head. "We need to find that AllSpark."
Sides and Sunny exchanged looks and grinned.
"Then let's do it!" they said at the same time.
Prowl shook his head. "Hopeless."
"Incoming!" Jazz shouted suddenly. "Blackout, the Seekers, and Megatron, all from the sky!"
"Barricade leading some coming from the ground as well." Ratchet warned. "Whatever we do, we need to do it now!"
"Ironhide, take me into the building." Rae whispered, tugging on his finger. Ironhide gave her a shocked look.
"Why? If they drop bombs on the building, you'll be killed!"
"But they won't! They want the AllSpark as badly as you do, maybe more. They actually know what they're going to do with it. I can find it faster than they can." Her eyes were pleading. "Please, Ironhide! Trust me!"
Ironhide hesitated a moment, not sure what to do. Rae had just admitted to being able to sense the AllSpark, something he didn't think she had been planning to tell him just yet. There was a desperation in her voice. She knew something he didn't, something he probably wouldn't know about just yet until they were safely out of hearing range of Optimus. She didn't trust the Autobot leader enough to let him know.
Suddenly Jazz was by their sides. "I'll cover y'all." he said tensely. "Those Decepticons are getting awfully close, and I'd rather have a bargaining chip when they come to surround us."
The weapons specialist hesitated, then nodded. "Let's go." Jazz quickly picked Rae up and placed her on his shoulder, following the larger mech into the building. Ironhide quickly radioed their plan to Optimus. Needless to say, the leader was not pleased.
"You couldn't have waited and explained this to me in person?" he demanded.
Ironhide shook his head even though Optimus wouldn't see it. "There's no time. The Decepticons are here!"
There was silence for a few moments, then: "We'll hold them off. If you find the AllSpark, bring it back to me. Understand?"
"I didn't plan on doing anything else with it." With that Ironhide shut down communications with the Autobots. They had time, but not much. Jazz placed Rae back on the ground.
"All right, youngling – lead the way."
/---/
Optimus and the other Autobots were instantly engaged in battle as the forces Barricade led attacked. To Prime's surprise, Barricade himself did not stick around to fight against the Autobots. Instead, he transformed and motioned behind him, bringing six more mechs to the front. Prime stiffened in surprise. This must be Rae's family, with an extremely small spider-like mech perched on one's shoulder. Prime instantly recognized Veris – after all, the mech had served with him for well over a hundred years. The others he knew only by their designation, whether they be Autobot or Deception.
Barricade, oblivious to Prime's growing confusion and anxiety, turned to Veris. "I need to help Starscream." he explained. "Can you find Rae from here?"
"Of course." Case commented, cutting across whatever Veris was going to say. "I can sense the AllSpark, and so can Rae. She'll be there with it." Veris nodded. They all looked unusually calm, but Barricade knew it was a farce. The only one truly showing his anxiety was Harbinger, who wouldn't stop looking around and scanning for the girl's vitals.
All conversation was cut off by a massive explosion behind them. Barricade spun around to find Megatron transformed into mech form, staggering from the blows Starscream and Thundercracker were dealing him. He chuckled. "I need to help them." he said simply.
Veris nodded. "Go, but tell Blackout to keep an eye out for Rae." he instructed. Barricade gave a small wave and was gone.
Harbinger tensed. "I have a lock on Rae. She's with the Autobots Ironhide and Jazz."
"Go get her." Silver said firmly. "We'll hold these slag-heads off."
Harbinger nodded once and was gone.
/---/
AN: OK, kind of a shaky ending, but it was the chapter that wouldn't die. Up next, the AllSpark is discovered!
